Balanced rudder

illustrations five rudder types shown in side elevation: Ordinary; Hanging; Balanced; Semi-Balanced; Non-balanced
Different types of rudder: 1, ordinary rudder; 2, hanging rudder; 3, over-balanced rudder; 4, balanced rudder; 5, unbalanced rudder (hinge line shown as axis 'A')

Balanced rudders are used by both ships[1] and aircraft. Both may indicate a portion of the rudder surface ahead of the hinge, placed to lower the control loads needed to turn the rudder. For aircraft the method can also be applied to elevators and ailerons; all three aircraft control surfaces may also be mass balanced, chiefly to avoid aerodynamic flutter.

  1. ^ Ship Manoeuvring Principles. Livingston: Witherby Publishing Group. 2023. p. 10. ISBN 9781914993169.